Snow kicksleds from Finland catching on in rural N.B. community
CBC
A popular Scandinavian activity rare in Canada is starting up on the snowy trails of southeastern New Brunswick.
Residents of Beaubassin-Est and Cap-Pelé can now borrow kicksleds to slide on packed snow after winter storms. Similar to a dogsled, but human-propelled, the sleds have two skis and a seat in the front.
Pete Belliveau, community development officer for Beaubassin-Est, said people have been curious to try it out, and the sleds quickly became "very popular."
"It caught on very, very fast because people saw people with them and word of mouth," he said.
"At the end of three days when they bring them back, I have another list of people or families waiting to pick them up. Because it's new and it's kind of cool."
The municipality of Beaubassin-Est, a rural community about 30 kilometres east of Moncton, purchased a fleet of 14 sleds this year after receiving a provincial grant.
They're free to use and can be borrowed for three days at a time.
The idea came from Mayor Louise Landry, who purchased some sleds for herself and thought they would be a great addition to an existing snowshoe rental program.
Beaubassin-Est, with a population of about 6,400, is believed to be the first community in New Brunswick to start a kicksled rental program — and is drawing interest from other municipalities.
WATCH / Scandinavian kicksleds becoming popular on New Brunswick trails
The sleds purchased by the town are built by hand in a village in Finland and were purchased from a Quebec company that imports them. There are different sizes for children and adults, and they cost about $500 each.
They can be used on hard surfaces, including packed snow and ice. One foot stays on a ski and the other foot kicks to push off and send the sled sliding forward.
In Scandinavia, they're used as a form of transportation and to buy groceries in more remote areas.
Belliveau said they're a perfect fit for New Brunswick winters and a great form of exercise. He expects kicksledding to continue to grow in popularity.
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